Post:TCV Natural Networks trainee: West Leeds Natural Network Officer

Bursary:£11,900

Location:Hollybush The Conservation Volunteers, Broad lane, Kirkstall, Leeds LS5 3BP

Duration:12 MONTHS

Start date:25thJanuary 2016

Closing date for Applications:30thOctober 2015

Thank you for your interest in the TCV Natural Networks Training Programme. Natural Networks is a new project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. It will develop skills to facilitate the 'green network' of sites considered essential for the effective conservation of biodiversity, creating a UK wide web of expertise in managing and engaging people in ecological networks. The project will develop the skills of 32 trainees and hundreds of communities across the UK to understand, value, protect and increase the biodiversity of their local green places.

Project Background

A traineeship hosted by The Conservation Volunteers based at Hollybush, Kirkstall with the Practical Projects team. The team run 7 day projects each week working for schools, local authorities and other landowners across Leeds and beyond.

The trainee will have chance to learn/improve a broad range of practical skills and support staff agreeing work programmes with landowners. TCV are developing a number of partnership projects for which research, consultation and estimation needs to be done. The trainee will have contact with Leeds Parks and Countryside, Groundwork, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and local groups.

Learning Outcomes

The Trainee will be supported to identify and achieve a range of learning outcomes, including filling skills gaps and opportunity to gain an accredited qualification. During the placement, the trainee will achieve a range of Green Network and Community Development learning outcomes, as follows.

Green Network Learning Outcomes

  • Developing and improving ecological networks:TCV is an active partner in Aire Action Leeds which works along the river corridor promoting sound habitat management and public access. Partnership projects for the Kirkstall Valley are looking to promote awareness of greenspaces from small areas in housing estates to the larger areas in the valley bottom. In South Leeds we are working to develop the ecological value and public appreciation of a set of woodland and openspaces developed on a range of former industrial sites.
  • Surveying, managing and improving local greenspace: In the early part of the year the trainee will accompany experienced staff on site visits to build their appreciation of a wide variety of work and learn how estimation is done. The Hollybush practical team undertake a wide range of practical work, the trainee will go out on selected projects to develop their skills and understanding of a variety of work.

Community Learning and Development Learning Outcomes

  • Enabling others to identify needs, plan and take action to protect and improve local green places:The trainee will beinvolved in supporting projects with friends of woodlands, greenspace etc. In a mix of long standing and one off arrangements. They will also work on Leeds quality parks (LQP) - helping to identify parks falling below 40% mark rating based on facilities and green infrastructure. There will be opportunities for the trainee to research and help co-ordinate local people to set up groups which self fund to protect local greenspaces.
  • Enabling others to develop skills: The trainee will work alongside staff and VOs to help deliver both standard practical tasks and possibly a series of 4 session practical courses that we hope to run every Friday. The trainee will be offered the chance to attend a Certificate in Education and Training course, which is the entry level qualification for anyone wishing to deliver training funded by Skills Funding Agency and provides a grounding in training skills.
  • Working with individuals & communities to achieve change: Public greenspace in Leeds faces massive challenges in the next few years. TCV will be part of the response assisting local groups to engage in greenspace management, apply for funding to support the groups and assist them in changing local behaviours to widen participation in caring for local spaces, in turn bringing communities closer together.

The trainee will also:

  • Identify underrepresented groups / communities that do not traditionally engage with the environment in Leeds. Through engagement with community workers community, group leaders and individuals the trainee will identify opportunities to include these communities in participating in the project and improving their input to developing the biodiversity of the area.

Person specification

Essential / Desirable
Qualifications:
Candidates will need to possess at least a basic knowledge of the environment, conservation and biodiversity. /
  • Educated to secondary level, including qualifications in English and maths
ALL
Experience:
  • A personal interest in natural history
  • Working with individuals and groups from a wide range of backgrounds and abilities
/
  • Some experience of natural history identification
  • Experience of working outdoors (e.g. on a nature conservation project)
Strong leadership skills
Public speaking experience
Skills:
Excellent communication skills
Good numeracy and literacy skills, with NVQ 1 level (or equivalent) to demonstrate these skills
Basic competency in use of IT / Experience of working with volunteers and community groups
Experience delivering environmental education
  • A knowledge of health and safety issues relating to outdoor activities

Personal Qualities:
A motivated individual with a passion, commitment and enthusiasm for protecting and a commitment to conserving our natural environment
Applicants must have the dedication and drive to work on their own initiative with community groups, individuals and volunteers.
Self-confidence, reliability and the ability to work with minimal supervision. Applicants must be able to work on their own initiative or as part of a team / A willingness to learn and share what is learned
  • Organisational skills and excellent time management

Other:
An aptitude for engaging people and an interest in natural heritage are the most important qualities in a potential applicant.
A Standard Disclosure Check will be required
Some evening and / or weekend activitieswill be required /
  • Clean driving licence and 1 year’s (minimum) driving experience